Semi Intensive Green Roof Maintenance

Dedicated irrigation system variable annual fertilization and advanced horticultural care.

Semi intensive green roof maintenance.

Mosses sedums herbs and low growing grasses are common choices for extensive roofs. Once established they will continue to develop to create a self sustaining plant community on the roof that will also provide habitat for invertebrates and bird species. You can get a wider variety of plants suited to the conditions offered by this option. Semi intensive green roofs include features of both types.

Semi intensive green roofs are low maintenance. Most semi intensive or intensive green roofs are designed with aesthetic appeal or the functionality of normal garden or recreational area which will dictate a more intensive maintenance regime as would be required in most gardens. Seasonal plant care and green roof maintenance is outlined below for traditional extensive nominal 4 depth green roofs. They are usually accessible.

The soil will be up to a foot deep and not require irrigation. These vegetative green roofs are considered semi intensive due to the landscape design coupled with increased levels of maintenance. Semi intensive green roof a semi intensive green roof system is characterized by small herbaceous plants ground covers grasses and small shrubs requiring moderate maintenance and occasional irrigation. Intensive green roofs have more soil and a deeper growing medium sometimes several feet that can support a more diverse plant selection including small trees.

A variation of the extensive green roof is called semi extensive. The appropriate depth of any green roof depends on the roof structure the plants chosen annual rainfall and stormwater performance requirements. Green roof media will need to be amended from time to time in order to maintain a healthy green roof. We highly recommend getting the media tested to understand what the nutrient needs of your green roof are before adding amendments.

On the other hand intensive green roofs need high upkeep and should be irrigated regularly. Thus they have more substantial structural loads and need more frequent maintenance and watering. However maintenance requirements are generally no more than would be expected for sidewalk planters. Due to that extensive roofs have low maintenance needs and they don t require irrigation except during a heat wave.

Green roofs involving semi intensive 6 and intensive 8 modules aka roof gardens typically incorporate larger and more diverse plantings like ornamental grasses and herbaceous perennials. Amendment needs vary depending on the site conditions plant material local conditions etc. Semi intensive green roofs require a bit more maintenance since the plants tend to need pruning irrigation and fertilization. A typical growing medium depth for a semi intensive green roof is 6 to 12 inches.